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A Timeless Love: Adam & Dan

Lauren Brocato Lauren Brocato | January 23, 2023 | Wedding Features

A sophisticated couple marry in a dreamy wedding at The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago.

Photographed by Pen/Carlson

ADAM SAXTON AND DAN MURPHY met on Hinge, and after a first date at a gallery opening in Dallas, love was in the air. They would eventually find themselves back in that same gallery when Dan proposed. “Adam thought we were on our way to a work dinner, when at the last minute, I told him we needed to stop at the art gallery,” Dan shares. “Little did Adam know the gallery was closed.” In the room where their favorite artist David Yarrow’s prints hung, a custom playlist, a bottle of Dom Pérignon and custom-painted Louis Vuitton ring boxes awaited.

Six months later, the couple married at The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago. “We stayed [there] on our first trip to Chicago together, so it immediately came to mind as the place to hold our wedding,” Adam says (Dan is from Chicago). Dim lighting and an aisle illuminated by candlelight set the scene. “We asked a close friend to be the officiant, which—combined with writing our own vows—made the ceremony feel very personal,” Adam adds. The ceremony culminated with a reading of the United States Supreme Court decision on marriage equality by Justice Anthony Kennedy.

For the reception, the spacious ballroom was populated with inviting lounge areas; bars donning the pair’s monogram; and sleek, plush velvet drapery. “We were aware that for many of our guests this would be their first gay wedding,” Dan says. “It was important for us to show our guests that a wedding between two men can uphold the same style and traditions as the weddings they have attended before.”


The grooms with their 8-year-old twin sons.
The grooms with their 8-year-old twin sons.

A custom seafood station was displayed on an ice sculpture bearing the couple’s wedding monogram
A custom seafood station was displayed on an ice sculpture bearing the couple’s wedding monogram.

“We wanted to keep the floral arrangements elegant and enhance the environment with well-thought-out lighting,” they say.
“We wanted to keep the floral arrangements elegant and enhance the environment with well-thought-out lighting,” they say.

Nearly all of the couple’s 267 guests hit the dance floor
Nearly all of the couple’s 267 guests hit the dance floor.

Centerpieces of blooming branches anchored the tables
Centerpieces of blooming branches anchored the tables.

The List

Venue & Catering The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago, ritzcarlton.com

Wedding Planner Anthony Navarro, Liven It Up Events, livenitup.com

Grooms’ Tuxes custom, Tom Ford, tomford.com

Grooms’ Shoes Christian Louboutin, us.christianlouboutin.com

Rings & Lapel Pins Jason of Beverly Hills, jasonofbh.com

Grooms’ Watches Rolex, rolex.com

Grooming Savy Ty, Muse the Salon, musesalondallas.com

Male Attendants’ Attire The Black Tux, theblacktux.com

Attendant’s Hair & Makeup Hair: The Bridal Beauty Team, thebridalbeautyteam.com; Makeup: Cheryl Harvey Gorey, make-upfaces.com

Florals Kehoe Designs, kehoedesigns.com

Cake CAKE, cake-chicago.com

Invitations & Signage Double Trip Press, doubletrippress.com

Linens BBJ La Tavola, bbjlatavola.com

Entertainment Ken Arlen Evolution Orchestra, Arlen Music Productions, arlenmusic.com

Favors McAlister’s Deli, mcalistersdeli.com

Transportation M&M Limousine Services, mmlimo.com

Photo Booth Snapbooth Chicago, snapboothchicago.com

Videographer Old North Film Company, oldnorthfilmcompany.com



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Photography by: Pen/Carlson